Bromantan - Educational material

Bromantane, commercially available as Ladasten, is an adamantane derivative used for a variety of health benefits. It offers significant health benefits, such as improving physical performance, increasing endurance and mental acuity, combats fatigue and anxiety, and increases tolerance to stress factors such as extreme heat and can also accelerate recovery from intense physical activities [1]. Research has reported that Bromantan stimulates both mind and body, without the risk of addiction or nervous side effects typical of many stimulants [1].

History of Bromantan

Bromantane, also known as adamantylbromophenylamine, bromantane or N-(2-adamantyl)-N-(4-bromophenyl)-amine, belongs to a class of substances known as Actoprojectors, which help the body to better cope with physical stress without consuming more oxygen or generating additional heat. You can think of it as a super adaptogen that significantly enhances physical and mental performance. Bromantan, also known by the trade name Ladasten, is primarily used to help people struggling with fatigue and stress-related conditions. Although it has been banned in sport since 1997 due to anti-doping regulations, it has found a valuable place in healthcare, particularly in the treatment of asthenic conditions. Produced in Russia, Ladasten stands out not only for its efficacy but also for its safety, offering a promising solution for those in need of physical and mental endurance support [1, 2].

Bromantan action against depression and anxiety

Based on human and animal studies, Bromantan has shown positive effects on both anxiety and depression, making it a significant option for managing mental health. Unlike many traditional medications, Bromantan has the unique ability to increase physical activity while reducing feelings of anxiety, which is particularly beneficial for those suffering from depression and anxiety, as these conditions often lead to decreased motivation and increased stress. During the study, Bromantan outperformed some standard antidepressants by reducing inflammatory markers associated with depression, such as TNF-α and IL-6, thereby preventing depressive behaviour [3, 4]. This suggests that Bromantan may play a significant role in the treatment of depression by targeting inflammation, a known factor in this disease. Furthermore, Bromantan increases spontaneous movement and reduces anxiety in animal tests, indicating its potential to combat depression-related lethargy and effectively reduce anxiety. Compared with imipramine, a common antidepressant, it rapidly reversed depressive states in stress-induced models, indicating its rapid response to depressive symptoms [3, 4].

In another study, Bromantan was tested on people suffering from neurasthenia, a condition marked by chronic fatigue and stress-related weakness [5]. The aim of this study was to rigorously assess the efficacy and safety of Bromantan as an anti-anxiety medication, particularly highlighting its ability to manage anxiety without leading to dependence or withdrawal symptoms. Patients reported significant reductions in anxiety and asthenia symptoms with Bromantan compared to placebo, indicating its dual functionality as a psychostimulant and anti-anxiety drug [5]. This indicates that Bromantan is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, improving the patient's overall wellbeing without the risk of dependence. Interestingly, its use did not lead to withdrawal syndromes, highlighting its non-narcotic nature [5].

In addition, an animal study reported that Bromantan showed anti-anxiety effects in BALB/c mice, known for their high anxiety response, without over-stimulating free locomotor activity. This suggests that Bromantan specifically targets anxiety symptoms, offering a new pathway for treating anxiety symptoms by increasing energy levels and reducing anxiety without the typical drawbacks of traditional treatments [6]. In another animal study, a dose of 50 mg/kg Bromantan significantly increased levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter key to mood regulation and cognitive function [7]. This suggests that Bromantan not only enhances the brain's natural mechanism to produce dopamine, but also offers insight into how Bromantan may alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by modulating dopaminergic activity.

In a pilot clinical trial, Bromantan was administered to patients with psychogenic asthenia disorder, marked by chronic fatigue and psychological stress. Results showed that it improved physical and mental energy and significantly reduced anxiety levels among patients [8]. This dual action distinguishes Bromantan from traditional psychostimulants, offering a therapeutic advantage by addressing both the lack of motivation often seen in depression and the anxiety that can accompany or exacerbate depressive states. Bromantan's ability to improve overall psychological wellbeing while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression suggests that it is a promising candidate in mental health settings.

Further, in a study in C57BL/6 male mice, modelling anxiety depression induced by zoosocial stress, administration of Bromantan (30 mg/kg) significantly reduced depression-related symptoms [9]. Importantly, it reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-17 and IL-4, which are associated with depression, and reversed behavioural changes associated with depression and anxiety, as observed in the elevated cross maze test. These improvements were seen both after a single administration following short-term stress and after a five-day regimen following prolonged stress exposure, highlighting the potential of Bromantan as a powerful adjunctive therapy for depressive disorders.

Importantly, in a large human study conducted at 28 clinical centres in Russia involving 728 patients with psychoautonomic syndrome, a condition labelled by asthenic disorder, Bromantan showed significant therapeutic efficacy [10]. Patients receiving doses of Bromantan in the range of 50 to 100 mg daily for 28 days reported a marked anti-asthenic effect as early as the third day of treatment, which significantly persisted for one month after cessation of therapy. The drug effectively alleviated symptoms on the anxiety-depression spectrum, improved autonomic function, increased sleep quality and generally improved patients' quality of life. With only 3% participants experiencing mild side effects and a low discontinuation rate, the safety profile of Bromantan was extremely positive, with no reports of serious side effects.

Additionally, according to clinical and EEG studies in patients with anxiety-asthenia disorders, Bromantan acts differently depending on the person's brainwave patterns [11]. For people with strong alpha waves, which are associated with being relaxed but alert, Bromantan acts as a stimulant. This means that it can make people feel more awake and improve their mood. On the other hand, people with weak alpha waves, which may indicate that they are more prone to anxiety, experience the calming effect of Bromantan, similar to anxiety-reducing drugs. This calming effect is shown by changes in their brain waves, indicating reduced anxiety. Essentially, the way Bromantan works may depend on unique brainwave patterns, making it an optimised approach to helping with anxiety and feelings of excessive fatigue.

A study on Bromantan showed promising results in combating mental exhaustion without any harmful side effects, even with a single dose of 100 mg [12]. This finding suggests that Bromantan (Ladasten) is a safe way to deal with mental exhaustion, making it particularly useful for people who easily feel overwhelmed by stress. Importantly, the study found that it works better in people who are more sensitive to stress, indicating its effectiveness in increasing mental acuity and the ability to cope with stress. This means that Bromantan can be a significant aid in treating stress-related fatigue, and may even improve focus and mood both at work and in everyday life for those who find it difficult to cope with stress.

The role of Bromantan in improving mood and dopamine

Bromantan plays a significant role in improving mood and cognitive function by interacting with the dopamine system in the brain. In the study, administration of Bromantan to rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly improved dopamine in brain regions. In addition, it increased levels of serotonin and its metabolite in the prefrontal cortex of the brain and other areas, suggesting that it may improve mood and enhance cognitive abilities [13]. Furthermore, Bromantan's unique effect on dopamine synthesis highlights its potential for brain health benefits. Studies in rats have shown that Bromantan increases the activity of enzymes necessary for dopamine production, indicating its ability to positively enhance both brain function and mood [14].

Importantly, in an animal study, administration of Bromantan to rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly increased dopamine concentration [7]. Shortly after intake, Bromantan causes an increase in dopamine release, along with an increase in L-DOPA, which is required for dopamine production. This suggests that Bromantan helps to activate genes involved in dopamine production. Specifically, it encourages the production of certain enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DOPA-decarboxylase (DDC), which are key in the process of dopamine formation. This effect of Bromantan essentially helps trigger the body's natural production of dopamine [7, 14].

In a study investigating the effects of Bromantan on the brain, researchers found that it has a special way of increasing dopamine. Unlike another drug, afobazole, which mainly acts on serotonin and prevents the breakdown of dopamine, Bromantan focuses on increasing dopamine production. It does this by raising levels of L-DOPA, which is needed for dopamine production, in different parts of the brain. This suggests that Bromantan helps to activate the dopamine-making process. In addition, Bromantan alters the way dopamine is metabolised (metabolism) in certain areas of the brain, which may be beneficial for people with disorders associated with dopamine dysregulation, such as mood disorders or certain movement disorders [15]. In addition, another study found that Bromantan has the unique ability to increase dopamine synthesis and release in one part of the brain, without interfering with serotonin levels. It could also slow down the reabsorption of dopamine into brain cells, potentially increasing its availability, but did not have the same effect on serotonin. This suggests that Bromantan is particularly good at improving dopamine-related functions without interfering with serotonin, making it a good choice for treating problems associated with dopamine imbalance [16].

Bromantan side effects and withdrawal syndrome

Bromantan differs from other dopamine stimulants primarily in the absence of typical side effects, such as a significant drop in dopamine levels or withdrawal symptoms after treatment. Unlike typical stimulants, which can lead to addiction or a reduction in natural dopamine production after withdrawal, Bromantan has shown to retain its benefits without causing these negative effects. Studies [1] [5, 6] [10] highlight its unique dual action as a psychostimulant and anti-anxiety drug, effectively managing states without leading to dependence or withdrawal symptoms. This unique safety profile is highlighted by the absence of 'withdrawal syndrome' [5] [6], suggesting that Bromantan supports brain function in a way that does not interfere with the body's natural dopamine regulatory mechanisms. This suggests that Bromantan may increase dopamine levels in a way that supports natural brain function without leading to dependence or significant post-treatment decline in mood and motivation. Consequently, patients can discontinue Bromantan without the risk of experiencing the decline often seen with other psychotropic drugs, making it a safer, more sustainable option for the long-term management of various conditions. People taking bromantan usually respond very well and there are no side effects. Very rarely, however, there are side effects in the form of headaches, dizziness and dullness. These effects pass as soon as the remedy is discontinued.

Dosage of Bromantan

In human studies, particularly those involving patients with conditions such as neurasthenia, characterised by chronic fatigue and weakness often associated with stress, Bromantan was administered at a daily dose of 50 to 100 mg for a period of 28 days. This dosage showed significant therapeutic benefits, with patients experiencing a marked improvement in their condition from the third day of treatment, and these benefits persisted for one month after the end of therapy [10, 12].

Bromantan overdose

As for bromantan overdose, this can lead to a variety of effects, as shown in a study in which rats were given different doses of the drug [17]. At manageable doses (30-300 mg/kg), bromantan acted as a stimulant, increasing the activity levels of the rats and making them less sensitive to pain. However, when the doses were much higher (600-9,600 mg/kg), the opposite happened: the rats became less active, their spontaneous movements decreased, and although they were less sensitive to pain, their sensitivity to touch and response to other stimuli increased.

An interesting physical response to all doses was pupil dilation, and at extremely high doses (above 10 g/kg) the rats' eyelids began to droop. The very high doses also affected their breathing, making it deeper and faster, similar to a specific pattern known as Kussmaul's breathing, and caused vomiting, diarrhoea and increased urination in some. There was also a slight decrease in body temperature at almost all doses tested [17].

Summary

Bromantan's dual properties as a psychostimulant and anti-anxiety drug make it effective in the treatment of conditions characterised by chronic fatigue and psychological distress, as observed in studies on patients with neurasthenia. Its ability to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, without leading to dependence or withdrawal symptoms, represents a significant advance in treatment options for these conditions. Bromantan's mechanism of action is to increase natural dopamine production in the brain by stimulating the activity of enzymes key to dopamine synthesis, such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DOPA-decarboxylase (DDC), without directly interacting with dopamine receptors. This subtle yet effective way of increasing dopamine levels leads to improvements in mood and cognitive function without the risk of addiction or withdrawal symptoms, making it a promising option for treating conditions such as depression and anxiety. It stands out for its unique ability to stimulate dopamine in the brain without the typical side effects seen with other dopamine stimulants, such as a drop in dopamine levels after treatment. Unlike traditional stimulants, which can deplete dopamine stores, leading to addiction and withdrawal symptoms, Bromantan offers a different approach. Overall, Bromantan's unique pharmacological properties and its role in dopamine regulation highlight its potential as a beneficial treatment for a wide range of neurological and psychological conditions, without the typical drawbacks associated with traditional dopamine stimulants.

Disclaimer

This article is written to educate and raise awareness of the substance discussed. It is important to note that the substance discussed is a substance and not a specific product. The information contained in the text is based on available scientific studies and is not intended as medical advice or to promote self-medication. The reader is advised to consult a qualified health professional for all health and treatment decisions.

References

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